LONDON (Reuters) -Britain’s prosecution service said on Tuesday it was appealing a court decision to dismiss terrorism charges against a member of Irish rap group Kneecap, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, also known as Mo Chara. The charge – relating to the alleged display of a flag of Iran-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah during a London concert […]
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UK prosecutors appeal dismissal of terrorism charge against Kneecap rapper
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LONDON (Reuters) -Britain’s prosecution service said on Tuesday it was appealing a court decision to dismiss terrorism charges against a member of Irish rap group Kneecap, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, also known as Mo Chara.
The charge – relating to the alleged display of a flag of Iran-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah during a London concert in November 2024 – was thrown out last month after the court ruled it had been brought outside the six-month statutory limit.
“We are appealing the decision to dismiss this case as we believe there is an important point of law which needs to be clarified,” a spokesperson for the Crown Prosecution Service said.
Ó hAnnaidh, 27, under the anglicised name Liam O’Hanna, was charged in May under the Terrorism Act which states that it is a criminal offence to display an article in a way which arouses reasonable suspicion that someone is a supporter of a banned organisation.
Kneecap, known for politically charged lyrics and pro-Palestine messaging, has previously said the case was an attempt to silence dissent. The group cancelled its U.S. tour in August, citing the legal proceedings.
Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill last month welcomed the court’s decision to throw out the case, saying the charges were part of an attempt to silence critics of Israel.
(Reporting by Sam TabahritiEditing by William Schomberg)